According to “trusted sources” of First Word on Sports, Max Wober is part of a probable “exodus” from Leeds United as

other first-team players are currently “actively” exploring moves away from the organization.

After moving from Red Bull Salzburg in January, the Austrian center back was undoubtedly the best defender for Elland

Road.

According to a Leeds Live article from July 6th, the 25-year-old was “understood to have made clear he wants to play on in

the second tier” and, based on his effect from the previous season, would probably be a regular starter for Daniel Farke.

But the latest report claims that Wober, along with teammates including Jack Harrison, Illan Meslier, Crysencio

Summerville and Pascal Struijk are all now “striving for an exit”.

According to Last Word on Sports: “The ultimate factor pushing people towards the exit is the lack of Premier League

football at Elland Road. Understandably players want to find their way to the top, and whilst a lot of the squad are staying to

return through promotion, others are choosing to move in pursuit of their goals.”

While Meslier’s departure is widely expected in light of the pursuits of Karl Darlow and Freddie Woodman as potential

replacements, it would be thoroughly destabilising to Farke’s planning if the other names are all trying to go still.

Struijk is perhaps one that would not be hugely missed, although the 23-year-old did reasonably well covering for Junior

Firpo at left-back last year and could be a decent back up in the centre also.

Summerville looks like one who could break out in the Championship should he remain next term, and while Harrison

might have been one of the first expected to go the 49ers see him as one of the men they would like to keep.

With the takeover now complete Paraag Marathe has made public his intention to keep key names at the club despite

relegation.

Wober above all would be a huge blow to Farke as defence is one department where Leeds United are not blessed with high-

quality options, and with Robin Koch (Eintracht Frankfurt), Diego Llorente and Rasmus Kristensen (Roma) all having made

loan exits the bodies have already been reduced.

The 49ers era officially beginning brings encouragement that some long-awaited stability might follow, but if so many

notable names are still trying to escape it may have to be delayed a while yet.

In other Leeds United news, two of the most important assets may be in line for new contract offers to incentivise them to

stay at the club says Phil Hay.

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Willy Gnonto wants Leeds United exit after Everton offer rejected, Charlie Cresswell also pushes to leave after bid

Willy Gnonto and Charlie Cresswell have both received offers from Leeds United this summer, and both players are now

trying to leave, according to Last Word on Sports.

The Whites reportedly rejected both bids, with Everton understood to have made the first offer to sign the 19-year-old

Italian international attacker [The Athletic, 17 July].

The 20-year-old English center back Cresswell had been connected to Rangers, but it was “comprehensively” refuted by

Rangers Review shortly after (20 June), and the source of the bid for the defender is not mentioned.

After the 49ers took control on Monday night (18 July), the new chairman Paraag Marathe declared his aim to prevent

important players from quitting.

The two young players are now reportedly “actively” looking to leave Elland Road this summer as a result of the offers that

have come in, according to the Last Word on Sports story that was published a day after the agreement was finalized.

In Gnonto’s case, Leeds Live had reported the opposite on Sunday (16 July), and Phil Hay had said on The Square Ball on

Tuesday that the possibility of a new contract would be enough to persuade him to stay. However, this update raises the

possibility that the situation may have altered.

Recent developments have put a much sunnier spin on a summer that was always going to be eventful, and possibly painful,

following relegation.

The Gnonto bid being knocked back plus a clear intention emerging to retain him and others, before the news that Ethan

Ampadu was on the way in as Daniel Farke’s first signing just as the long-awaited takeover got the green light from the EFL,

all combined as very encouraging.

This new report would certainly put a dampener on proceedings if it is accurate, as both players stand to be in line for

significant contributions in the Championship if they can be kept around.

Gnonto’s form dipped when he confusingly fell out of favour last term under Javi Gracia, but he was the star man during

Jesse Marsch’s months in charge, and looks like the sort of player who could be a leading light in the second tier next term.

Cresswell fought back from adversity to become a valuable member of the Millwall line-up under Gary Rowett last season in

his first sustained senior football, before his campaign was ended by a fractured eye socket.

His experience in the Championship puts him in a great position to make his Leeds United breakthrough, especially with

fellow defenders Robin Koch, Diego Llorente and Rasmus Kristensen all having left on loan.

So if they force their way out of Elland Road before the window shuts it would undoubtedly be a disappointment for both

Farke and the fanbase.

In other Leeds United news, the club are firmly in the race for a “20 goal a season man” after the first bid in the race was

rejected.